GMC Yukon Information

The GMC Yukon is an upscale full-size sport utility vehicle version of the Chevrolet Tahoe. Its larger sibling, the GMC XL, is the twin of the Chevrolet Suburban. The Yukon Denali and the Yukon XL Denali are the luxury models of the Tahoe/Suburban lines. Most of these models share mechanical and body components, resembling each other in every way other than badging and trim levels.

Distinctions

When Chevrolet introduced its truck-based Suburban in 1935, it followed with a GMC version the following next year. GMC up until the 1970s served primarily as an upscale version of the Chevrolet truck line, offering a better appointed base level model and high-end trim levels not found on Chevy trucks. While some distinctions remain today, both models can be equipped with the same trim packages and options.

Yukon Denali

The Yukon made its debut in 1992 as the Chevrolet Blazer's twin, which three years later became the Chevrolet Tahoe. The Yukon's luxury version, Denali, followed in 1998, with the Yukon XL Denali appearing in 2002 to match similar-sized Suburbans. The Yukon Denali accounts for 40 percent of Yukon's total sales.

Size

The 2-door Yukon, as with the Tahoe, sits on a 111.5-inch wheelbase, while the 4-door model has a wheelbase of 117.5 inches. These serve as the shorter versions to the massive Suburban, which has a 131.5-inch wheelbase. The shorter models were developed partially to appeal to SUV drivers too intimidated by the larger Suburban.

Middle East

The Yukon Denali and the XL Denali since 2000 have supplanted the Suburban as the SUV of choice among wealthy Middle East buyers due to their perceived value as the ultimate luxury SUV, more practical in hot climates than the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. In fact, the Denali was GMC's answer to the Navigator. Especially attractive to buyers is the 380-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8 engine.

Styling Differences

The Yukon and Tahoe underwent a significant face-lift in 2007. The pair always had distinctly different front grilles and headlamp assembly. The 2007 Yukon featured a massive single-piece chrome grille and vertical headlamps. The Tahoe has its traditional body-colored horizontal bar bisect its grille. Its headlamps are more horizontal. But for 2007, the Yukon departed with the usual similar hood styling. The Tahoe featured a hood that obtruded from its normally smooth lines, while the Yukon featured a flat, smooth hood that featured curves on both sides.

Gas Mileage

The Yukon's gas mileage has improved over the years, but it still remains a thirsty SUV, getting only 16 mpg in the city, 22 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg overall.

Power

By 2007, the Yukon and the Yukon Denali were powered by a 4.8-liter 295-horsepower Vortec V-8 as standard equipment. A 5.3-liter 320-horsepower V-8 also was offered, along with the massive 6.2-liter 380-horsepower V-8s appearing in the 2007-08 Denalis and the 403-horsepower version of the 6.2-liter in the 2009 Denalis. The Yukons are not equipped with diesel engines. In 2008, GMC introduced its $50,000 gasoline/electric Yukon Hybrid version.

Resources

• Yukon Hybrid